City Cast Madison logo
May 27, 2026

Ticks Suck Extra Bad This Season, Plus Banned Watertown Song Will Play at the Barrymore

City Cast Madison

Ticks Suck Extra Bad This Season, Plus Banned Watertown Song Will Play at the Barrymore

00:00:00
View all City Cast Madison episodes

Thoroughly checking yourself for ticks is a must-do after spending time outdoors in the spring and summer. Tick season has already been bad this year, and the number of Lyme disease cases in Wisconsin has quadrupled over the past 20 years. Host Bianca Martin chats with executive producer Hayley Sperling about the problem with ticks. We also get into the latest around the Watertown High School band’s banned song, and how Madison is supporting the band with a concert at the Barrymore Theatre this Thursday. Plus, Bianca was named the recipient of Urban Triage’s Reclaiming Our Voice Award!

Mentioned on the show:

👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram

📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter

🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!

Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
August 5

Ruiz Memorial May Be Gone, But the Protest Isn't Over

The memorial encampment at the intersection of Willy Street and Baldwin was forcibly removed early Tuesday morning by police and city wor...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
August 4

Madison’s Police Monitor Says MPD Is Obstructing Her Investigation

Nearly two weeks after the fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz, Madison’s Independent Police Monitor says she still doesn't have the evid...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
August 3

Your Guide to August 2026 in Madison

How is it already August? We’re not sure, but the City Cast Madison team, along with special guest contributor Emily Winter, has your gui...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
August 2

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One City Beat Restrictive Zoning — Presented By City Cast Madison

Do you know how zoning laws affect Madison’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made it...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
July 31

UW Law Professor Weighs In on Corey Ruiz Case. Plus, What’s Next for Act 10?

Madison continues to grapple with the aftermath of a fatal police shooting. Today, Ion Meyn, an associate professor of law at UW-Madison...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
July 30

Where To Find Coffee and Community in Madison

While we grapple with heavy news in Madison, we have been thinking about how we engage with each other and gather in community. Luckily f...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
July 29

Milwaukee County Exec. David Crowley's Bid for Wisconsin Governor

The Aug. 11 primary is less than two weeks away! Today, we continue our election coverage as host Bianca Martin sits down with Milwaukee...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
July 28

Corey Ruiz Shooting Updates, and the Human Toll of Protesting

In the days following the fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz, the city  mobilized in protest in various ways. From shutting down ev...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
July 27

Andy 'Just a Guy' Manske’s Bid for Wisconsin Governor

With just over two weeks until the Aug. 11 primary, we’re continuing our election coverage. Today, host Bianca Martin sits down with Andy...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
July 26

‘Your City Could Be Better’: The Trick to Getting People To Volunteer — Presented By City Cast Madison

It’s not a given that every individual will chip in to help their community. In this episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with writer...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art